Hi all,
I have been researching how to get a replacement daily use key and being in France first I visited the Fiat garage, cost 99.50 euros for the blank and 68 euros for the programming (Total167.50) pretty steep. I read in this forum that there are outlets in the Uk/London who can clone the key and sent an email request to one contact listed in a forum thread, unfortunately I did not receive a response. However, armed with the knowledge that Fiat do not have a monopoly on the coding I approached the key and shoe repair shop in our local market in Figeac. Success the guy said give me the key, 20 minutes and 55 Euros and a replacement key will be produced. I gave him the key went for a coffee returned and paid him for a replacement key which works perfectly. Hurrah .
Even 55 euros seems expensive but viewed against Fiat pricing and the fact I had only one daily use key (blue and grey one) which was bent I am happy. The guy did not need the red key but I do have that if necessary in the future.

That is really great news. I really must try this option as I only have a single blue key and am going to be in big trouble if I lose it/break it. I have heard that Timpsons, in the UK can do this but would be interested if anyone has used their service. S

I've used Timpsons to clone blue keys for a Cinquecento, worked fine and wasn't very expensive. £25 rings a bell.

Thanks Pete. I wonder of they guarantee it would work? My nearest would be 60 miles away and I wouldn't necessarily want to take the car. S


Sent from my iPhone using FIAT Forum

Good excuse for a drive out?

I had only one blue and grey key with mine and no red key. Timpsons cut and cloned me a new key, it was £40 and I can confirm it works perfectly.

Hope this helps

John

I had to drive my Barchetta for many years in Johannesburg with only a single blue key. I had no options until the other day I saw a key shop which had the legend on the window, "Keys cloned" - In I went and 10 minutes later left with a cloned key which works and fits perfectly - I paid the equivalent of 40 Euros. I am much more relaxed now!

I also got my key cloned just in case I lost my single blue key, never had the red key and so far never in the 6 years of ownership needed it. But my lovely wife lost my Blue key, so for the last 4 years been driving around with a cloned key. You can imagine the dialog that was used expressing my loss of the Blue key.

So this post has prompted me to think about options, the first is to clone the clone key, don't know if this can be done, but only one way to find out. The other option is a replacement ECU off Henk, I understand I would need the full kit ie locks, keys and the aerial/pickup ring . is that it would I have to have the ECU reprogrammed, can I just plug it in and go?

Thanks in advance Dave M

Hi Dave-M. I would do anything to avoid replacing all that stuff. If the cloned key has the code in it already, I am sure you will be able to have it duplicated. Once you do, you will feel as relaxed as I now do, knowing I have a spare key in the safe for 'in case'

Hi DaveHolmes.
Thanks for your reply, but I don't really mind the hasle of changing the locks etc, more interested in the consequence of plugging in another ECU will it communicate with the airbag ECU for example.

@ Dave-M - sorry I am not very technically savvy, but it would be interesting to hear of the result!